Freeing Phoenix, part 46

"OW, not so tight Luke," Liz shouts, "I don't WANT to cut off the circulation to my brain."1

*FLASH*2

"Sorry, I've never done this before," he says removing the bandana from her head, "maybe Ana should do this."3

"Yeah, cuz if YOU keep trying to do it you're bound to DECAPITATE her," Ana says smirking as she walks over, "AND you'll make us late. Move your butt Luke."4

"Whats there to be late for," Liz asks suspiciously as Ana takes Luke's spot.5

"Oh, nothing really," Ana says coolly, tying the bandana around Liz's head, "My mums just taking us out, that's all."6

*FLASH*7

"Um, WHY is she taking us out," she asks raising an eyebrow.8

"For your birthday, you silly girl," Luke answers.9

"And… What exactly is there to be late for?"10

"That's for US to know, and YOU to find out," Mrs.Peachy says walking into the living room.11

"I'd expect THEM to say something like that," Liz says looking disgruntled, "but not a responsible ADULT like you Mrs.Peachy."12

"HA! HER a RESPONSIBLE adult, that's a stretch," Ana roars, "Haven't you noticed that she's as much a kid as any of us. She's just cleverly DISGUISED as a responsible adult."13

"It IS a conspiracy," Liz says jumping up, "I KNEW it!"14

*FLASH*15

"Yeah, but it's a GOOD conspiracy," Travis laughs.16

"Its NOT a conspiracy," Luke says rolling his eyes, "it's a SURPRISE."17

"It's the SAME thing," Liz scowls.18

"How in the world are a CONSPIRACY and a SURPRISE the same thing," Chester asks.19

"They are in the world I live in," Liz says sadly, looking at her feet.20

"The world you USED TO live in," Luke corrects. Walking over to her, he puts his arm around her and says, "Remember that big speech I gave you yesterday?"21

"Yeah, lots of words I wish could be true."22

"They ARE true…I'm NEVER letting you go back there, unless of course you WANT to. Not because you're scared of them though."23

"When the summers over there will be school-"24

"And we'll deal with that when we need to," he interrupts, "but for now, just try to enjoy the freedom. We WILL deal with whatever comes up when it comes up, ok?"25

"Whatever," she says, looking thoroughly unconvinced.26

"Just TRY to enjoy it, PLEASE," he says, trying not to laugh at her face.27

"Fine," she sighs, "I'll try, but I'm not promising anything."28

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"Shotgun," Travis yells, racing to the car.30

"Oh I don't THINK so," Mrs.Peachy calls, "ANA is sitting in the front."31

"Aww mom," Ana whines, "I ALWAYS have to sit in the front."32

"Yup," she says with a smirk, "I have rules against FUNNY BUSINESS you know."33

"But then LIZ will be smashed in with the guys."34

"Liz is not MY daughter, and I WILL be keeping my eye on the guys."35

"Yeah, but LIZ will be sitting with Luke, who is her BOYFRIEND."36

"Like I said, I WILL be keeping my eye on them," she says, throwing Luke a glance as she unlocks the car.37

"Well, what if I had a boyfriend," Ana asks as they pile into the car, "Could I sit with HIM in the backseat?"38

"That would depend," she says starting the car.39

"On?"40

"Who he was, for starters," she says, adjusting the mirrors and shifting into 'Drive'.41

"Well, say for instance-- and this is just a 'what if' question-- that it was Chester. Could I sit with HIM?"42

Chester kicks the back of Ana's seat. *THUMP*43

"I see… You and Chester, huh?"44

"NO, it's just a 'what if'," Ana says, her face paling.45

"Oh COME ON Ana, like I can't tell. It's as obvious as it is with Luke and Liz."46

"Well, to be honest Mrs.Peachy," Chester says hesitantly from the back seat, "we don't really know yet…"47

"Riiiiight," Liz says rolling her eyes.48

"As long as theres no funny business," Mrs.Peachy sighs, "I approve. But, please guys just take it slow. I know your hormones are running wild right now, but theres no rush. I'm too young to be a grandma, and you guys are WAY too young for pregnancy scares…" "That goes for you two TOO," she says looking at Luke and Liz in the rearview mirror.49

"Ug, MO-OM did you HAVE to give us a speech," Ana says hiding her face in her hands.50

"Yes. And if I have to, I will sit ALL of you down and give you a 'birds and bees' refresher course."51

"You WOULDN'T," Ana says wide-eyed.52

"Sure I would," she grins, "and I'm getting tired of being 'Mrs.Peachy' all the time, why doesn't everyone call me 'Mom'?"53

"Oh, we're trying THAT again," Ana sighs rolling her eyes.54

"Nobody actually TRIED it last time… everyone just laughed it off. YOU weren't even calling me 'mom' at that time."55

"Ah yes," Travis comments, "Ana's famous 'I must have been switched at birth' phase."56

"HA, I remember that…" Luke laughs, "it was HILARIOUS!"57

"I thought Ana had gone off the deep end," Chester chimes in, "She was SO weird."58

"I thought you were supposed to be on MY side Chester," Ana pouts.59

"Yeah… I haven't quite decided that yet," he snickers.60

"Don't make me hurt you skinny boy," she threatens, shaking her fist at him.61

"Oh, I'M skinny? HA! If I'm skinny you must be, like, a freakin TWIG," he tells her.62

"Oh… HA. HA. HA. Just wait til the car stops, you're gonna get it."63

"Oh, THIS conversation is just DRIPPING with love," Liz giggles, "Its got it all… threats of bodily harm, accusations of mental illness, and bickering over who's skinnier."64

"Yeah," Luke adds with a smirk, "and you guys accuse US of being mushy."65

"Oh shut up," Ana and Chester scream at the same time.66

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"So THIS is what the big rush was about," Liz asks as they climb back into the car, "getting snacks from the Dollar Store?"68

"Um, sorta…" Luke says evasively.69

"You remembered my Twizzlers right guys," Mrs.Peachy asks as she starts the car.70

"Yeah mum," Ana says digging through the shopping bag, "I got you a couple packs."71

"Good, now get your hands out of the bag."72

"So," Liz says conversationally, "NOW what are we doing?"73

"Don't worry about it," Ana smirks, "It'll be fun."74

"Grrrr," she pouts, "Is ANYBODY gonna give me a straight answer??"75

"Probly not," Travis says, "but here comes the FUN part. Close your eyes Liz."76

"Do I have to?"77

"Yes."78

"What if I say NO?"79

"Well then, you leave me no choice except to do this," Luke says covering her eyes.80

"I hate CONSPIRACIES," she grumbles.